Niagara This Week – St. Catharines
Up to 250 good-paying jobs could be created at a former auto parts plant in Thorold, with a Chinese firm announcing on Tuesday it will invest $25 million into a new facility to manufacture towers for wind energy turbines.
TSP Canada Towers Inc., a joint venture between Shanghai Taisheng Wind Power Equipment Co. Ltd. (known as TSP in China) and British Columbia-based Top Renergy Inc., announced plans to hire 150 people in the first phase of its operations, to manufacture onshore wind turbine towers. That $25-million investment could be followed up with the creation of another 100 jobs if the company opts to pursue manufacturing of its offshore wind towers at the Thorold plant, said Chris Xie, chief executive officer of TSP Canada Towers.
The announcement, which drew a large crowd of dignitaries and politicians, was heralded by speakers as a sign that Niagara is poised to become a major green energy hub in Ontario.
“Today is indeed a great day for Niagara’s economy,” said Regional Chair Gary Burroughs. “Niagara is quickly embracing this green technology.”
Thorold Mayor Ted Luciani said the deal for TSP to buy the Dana plant and invest in wind towers was two years in the making, culminating in May with a trip to China by himself, City of Thorold chief administrative officer Frank Fabiano, and Valerie Kuhns with the Niagara Economic Development Corp. for four days of intense negotiations.
Xie said the work by Luciani, Fabiano and their team was key in landing the investment.
“Without the support of them and their team, we cannot be here today,” he said. “We are thrilled to be bringing this level of investment to the city of Thorold and the Niagara Region.”
Luciani, who last week was on a trip to Italy, said the Italian countryside was scattered with numerous wind energy turbines and solar energy plants. That shows the promise of green energy, said Luciani, who noted the 210-acre Dana property could also become home to an industrial mall to service green energy projects.
“The future is looking bright for Thorold,” he said.
Merv Croghan, with the Niagara Region Wind Corporation — which plans wind turbine projects in Wainfleet and West Lincoln — called the TSP investment “a dream come true.” He said colleges and universities are now recognizing renewable, clean energy as a major growth industry for the future.
Niagara Falls riding MPP Kim Craitor said the TSP investment confirms the provincial government was wise to pursue sustainable, clean energy through its Green Energy Act.
“We’re getting out of dirty coal,” he said. “The cost (from coal air pollution) is billions of dollars in health care.
“Clean energy is the way to go. It is the future.”
Xie said his company has already received orders for wind towers for the next two years. Towers will be built for both domestic and international wind energy projects, he said.
“We look forward to commencing operations quickly,” he said.
The company said it will be hiring in a wide range of occupations, including welders, certified electricians, accountants, general operations staff, and sourcing, logistics and procurement staff. Spokeswoman Randi Rahamim said the company, which has hired on a personnel company, will be rolling out an employment plan with announcements soon.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, in a letter to coincide with Tuesday’s announcement, said the TSP announcement is an important step in moving the province toward a greener future.
“The TSP Canada Towers wind tower manufacturing plant is a significant undertaking — in creating jobs for Ontarians, in providing clean electricity, and in ensuring a cleaner future for us all,” he said.
Source: Niagara This Week